Green Bay Packers: Midseason Rookie Performance Grades
By Kenny Jilek
Green Bay Packers’ Late Round Picks
6th Round – Cole Van Lanen
When Van Lanen was drafted, much was made about him coming home as a Green Bay-born and raised guy. Unfortunately, with all of the competition on the offensive line in camp, he wasn’t able to make the roster. His NFL dream is still alive in Green Bay as he’s on the practice squad, but for this year he hasn’t done anything on the field.
Overall Grade: Incomplete
6th Round – Isaiah McDuffie
Isaiah McDuffie has very quickly taken on a similar role to what Ty Summers has carved out for himself here in Green Bay. While he hasn’t played a single defensive snap, he’s played 71 special teams snaps, 48 percent of the team’s total. He is up against a similar issue to Slaton, where there are just lots of guys in front of him in the linebacker hierarchy.
It is a good sign for him that Jaylon Smith was released, moving him up one spot in the rotation and showing the Packers have confidence in him developing over Smith.
Overall Grade: D
7th Round – Kylin Hill
Obviously, Kylin Hill is now out for the rest of the year but he had played every game up to this point. In those opportunities, he’s flashed potential, but the total numbers aren’t the most encouraging. His primary role has been as the kick returner. He did have one 41-yard return this season but is averaged just 19.9 yards per return.
When he’s gotten a chance to run the ball, that hasn’t gone extremely well either, with just 24 yards on 10 carries. Obviously, this sample size isn’t enough to say much, but it’s all he’s gotten to do behind the two-headed monster of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Hill definitely has the potential to be a dynamic playmaker for this team but hasn’t seen the fruition of that potential yet.
Overall Grade: C-
So what do you think about my grades of the Green Bay Packers’ rookies? Would you make any of them lower or higher? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @DairylandXpress.